The willingness to pay (WTP) approach is increasingly being used in different disciplines to assess peoples' readiness to accept change. This paper assesses the potential for two subunit vaccines for the prevention and control of bovine tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in cattle. A survey of beef and dairy farmers was conducted across Canada to identify factors that influence their WTP for subunit vaccines. Estimated results of the interval-data model indicate that the size of a farmer's cattle herd, neighbourhood effect, and buyer recommendations for vaccination significantly influence farmers' WTP while veterinarians appear to be the most critical pathway for farmers to source information on new vaccine options. The mean willingness to pay amounts for both vaccines reveals that farmers are likely to use the vaccines if the costs are kept at reasonable level.2 Companion diagnostics reveal the presence of the disease-causing organism in an infected animal but do not show a positive response in vaccinated animals. Therefore, it can differentiate between vaccinated and infected animals, especially for bTB and JD. 3 www.ifst.org/sites/default/files/Livestock%20Vaccines-PN-433_0.pdf 4 Ibid.
The establishment of quality assurance systems is an important development in the wine sector, particularly so for new and emerging wine regions. Focusing on the Canadian wine industry, this article examines the determinants of a winery's decision to adopt Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) certification for wines. The analysis also examines whether wineries seek VQA certification for higher-priced wines or whether VQA certification leads to higher wine prices. To examine the certification decision, a probit model is applied to a detailed data set of Canadian wines sold in Ontario over the period [2007][2008][2009][2010][2011][2012]. Wines from wineries that supply large volumes of wines (more than 1,000 cases) are more likely to have VQA certification, as well as ice wines and wines from specific regions. A Hausman specification test for endogeneity suggests that VQA certification leads to higher wine prices and not the other way around. (JEL Classifications: D22, L15, L66, Q13)
Infectious animal diseases, such as Johne’s disease (JD) caused by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) and bovine tuberculosis (bTB) caused by Mycobacterium bovis, have been a challenge to the livestock industry globally, impacting negatively on animal, human and environmental health, and overall food security. Despite several industry-led and government initiatives and programs aimed at preventing and reducing losses associated with JD and bTB outbreaks, JD has remained endemic in many parts of the world while there have been incidental outbreaks of bTB. While several studies focus on sustainable intensification of food (crop) production as a critical solution to food insecurity, following the existential interconnection between animals, humans and the environment recognized by one health, we frame food security through the lens of animal disease prevention and control, given the importance of livestock products to human health and livelihood. Vaccination has been a popular strategy successfully used in controlling other infectious diseases. The paper focuses on an alternate strategy of two subunit vaccines with companion diagnostics targeted at individual pathogens to attain satisfactory immunological responses for JD and bTB. We examine gaps in vaccine policies, commercialization, and potential strategies that would strengthen animal disease prevention and enhance food security. The potential of public–private partnership in strengthening private sector participation in effective animal disease control and health delivery and the implications for global food security are discussed.
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